Alchemilla plicatula
Alchemilla plicatula Gand.
Rosaceae – Rose family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(ii,v); C2a(i)].
Morphology and biology. Herbaceous, rhizomatous perennial. Stems 10–15(20) cm, erect or ascending, densely sericeous. Basal leaves suborbicular, 7(9)-lobed, glabrous above, sericeous beneath; lobes elliptical, at least the middle ones free to the base; petioles 3–13 cm. Cauline leaves small, 5-lobed. Inflorescence many-flowered, lax, sericeous; glomeruli lax. Flowers 4–4.5 mm in diameter, yellowish green. Sepals triangular-ovate, with a tuft of hairs at apex; epicalyx segments much smaller. Fruit a single achene. Fl. VII–VIII, fr. VIII–IX. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds and vegetative means.
Habitats and populations. Occurs in moist, grassy places and by streams, rocky terraces and rock crevices near the timberline and in the subalpine belt. Individuals grow solitary and less often in small groups. Takes part in plant communities together with Geum coccineum, Geranium macrorrhizum, Angelica pancicii, Alchemilla achtarowii, A. jumrukczalica, A. pyrenaica, Rumex alpinus, Hypericum maculatum, Myosotis sp., Parnassia palustris, Gentiana punctata, Cystopteris regia, Epilobium alpestre, etc.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Balkan Range (Central – Botev and Vezhen peaks, Dermenka chalet – Kumanitsa locality, Yumruka and Maragidik peaks, Troyanska Mt. – Haramia locality); 1900–2300 m alt.
General distribution. S and C Europe.
Threats. Limited distribution; low population density; trampling and specimen destruction by tourists; climate change especially warming and aridisation.
Conservation measures taken. The population is within Central Balkan National Park, including Dzhendema and Severen Dzhendem Strict Nature Reserves. The localities are in a site of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Monitoring of the population state aimed at the optimization of the species protection regime; ex situ propagation and cultivation of the taxon, and if necessary, use of this material for re-introduction of the species to its natural habitats.
References. Walters & Pawłowski 1968; Assenov 1973, 1984.
Author: Antonina Vitkova
